Pressed-steel barge.



PATBNTED AUG. 22, 1905.

J. S. MARTIN.

PRESSED STEEL BARGE.

APPLIUATIDN FILED SEPT. 9. 1903.

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J. S. MARTIN.

PRBSSED STEEL BARGE.

APPLICATION rnnn SEPT. 9. 1903.

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'PATENTED AUG. 22, 1905.

J. S. MARTIN. PRESSED STEEL BARGE. APPLICATION IILBD saw. 9, 1903.

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J. S. MARTIN.

PRBSSED STEEL BARGE.

APPLICATION nun SEPT 9 1903 \lll llll\lull llllxll. ll|l :Q; I W

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PRESSED-STEEL BARGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1905 Application filed September 9, 1903. Serial No. 172,507.

To all whom, it may concern..-

Be it known that I, JAMES S. MARTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pressed-Steel Barges, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to barges and other boats, and contemplates, primarily, a pressedsteel barge or boat, including in its organization a series of pressed-steel plates, ribs, and strengthening devices assembled and shaped in such manner as to render barge or boat constructions expeditious, strong, and durable, and wherein the several components have suificient inherent resiliency to yield under a load or in response to concussion without liability of breakage or injury.

The barge or boat constructed in accordance with the present invention is advantageously distinguished from a similar device composed of rolled shapes or cast members and parts in view of its simplicity and resistance to crushing or collapsing and expanding strains, especially when loaded. Another advantage resides in the comparative lightness of the structure and the material reduction of tendency to leakage and springing of the several joints. Another important feature of the present construction is the capability of arranging the same for heavy or lighter work by a simple change in the bracing means without modifying the primary framework structure, thus making it possible to utilize on plan of construction for heavy or light work with a consequent reduction in the cost of manufacture.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a barge embodying the features of the invention and showing the flooring removed. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section showing the flooring in place therein. Fig, 4 is a section on the line 1 4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5, Fig. 3, through one of the bottom ribs. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section through a portion of the bottom of the barge, showing the manner of attaching a flooring thereto. Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7 7, Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a tranverse vertical section through a portion of the bottom sheathing, illustrating a modification in the manner of applying the pressed-steel plates or members. Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section through the barge, illustrating the manner of applying a cross-girder thereto in heavybarge constructions. Fig. 10 is atransverse vertical section through the barge, showing auxiliary longitudinal ribs to adapt the device for heavy-barge constructions, the said ribs being disposed on the transverse bottom ribs. Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the side ribs of the same dimensions of the bottom ribs. Fig. 12 is a transverse vertical section through a portion of the side of the barge, showing a' still further modification. Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12, showing a stillfurther modification. Fig. 14 is a transverse vertical section through a portion of the bottom of the barge, showing a different contour of the longitudinal ribs to which the flooring is attached. Fig. 15 is a transverse vertical section of a portion of the barge, showing a still further modification in the formation of the ribs.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views. 1

The barge is made up of a series of bottom cross-ribs 1, terminally connected to side ribs 2, curved end ribs 3, disposed in planes at right angles to the ribs 1, and a bottom, side, and end sheathing 4, all of which will be more fully hereinafter described.

All the parts of the barge except the flooring, as hereinbefore set forth, are formed of pressed or plate steel of suitable thickness, and the ribs 1, 2, and 3 are hollow and pressed into substantial U shape. The ribs have their open portions secured against the sheathing by means of flanges 5, extending fully along opposite sides thereof; The means for securing the ribs, sheathing, and other parts, which will be hereinafter set forth, may be varied at will, but will preferably consist of rivets. The mode of bending the ribs and sheathing where necessary to give the barge a propershape will be accomplished by any suitable method. The sheathing 4: is "made up of a series of steel plates 6, having overlapped secured edges 7, and are firmly attached to the flanges of the ribs. At the opposite sides of the bottom the plates have a suitable arcuate contour, as at 8, and continue into the side sheathing, the ribs 2, adjacent to said arcuate plates, being similarly curved, as at 9, and terminally fastened to the bottom ribs 1 by overlapped joints 10. The side sheathing is continued over the upper ends of the ribs 2 by bending in any preferred manner to form a flat margin or edge 11 of such extent as to provide practical .securely fastened thereto.

means for applying to the barge the usual l as they will be at such distances apart as to pumps and other attachments commonly found in barge constructions. It will be understood that the bottom of the barge must have the greatest resistance and be made materially stronger than the sides and ends, and to accomplish this result the ribs 1 are materially greater in dimensions than the ribs 2 and 3, the ribs 2, connecting with the ribs 1,

being gradually reduced from their points of attachment to said ribs 1 upwardly to the margin or edge 11. The pressed-steel plates included in the sheathing at the opposite end of the barge are curved upwardly, as at 12, and continued into a marginal rim or edge similar to'the margin or edge 11, the marginal rim atthe ends of the barge being terminally attached to the margin or edge 11, as clearly shown by Fig. 1. Aside from the support, as well as the guarding function of the marginal edges,- or rims of the barge, as-

set forth, said rims' or edges materially contribute to. the strength of the entire barge structure, particularly in View of the fact that the upper terminals .of the ribs 2 and 3 are The ribs 3 are secured at their lower ends against the terminal ribs 1 of the bottom series of ribs and disposed in planes at right angles to the latter, so as to be more serviceableand practical in resisting concussions or end strains and prevent the opposite extremities of the barge from becoming distorted or misshapen. As an additional strengthening meansin heavy barges the lower arcuate or elbow extremities 9 of the ribs 2 may have elongated steel braces13 securely fastened theretoland extending'full length of the series of said ribs 2, as shown by Fig. 10. For barges adapted for comparatively light work tendency to collapsing or crushing of the sides is not as greatas in barges for heavy work, nor is the outward expansion or strain from the load as great. By barges for comparatively light work is meant those used on streams or rivers having light traflic and reduced resistance to the drag or propulsion of the barge. For this lighter class of barges, therefore, it has been found by calculation that knee-braces 14, arranged at predetermined intervals and terminally attached to the ribs 1 and 2, are all the strengthening means necessary to resist crushing or collapsing and outward distortion of the sides of the barge. In heavy barge constructions the bracing means shown by Fig. 9 is employed and consists of girders 15, arranged at regular intervals across the upper portion of the barge and secured at opposite ends to the upper extremities of the ribs 2. These girders are attached to or reinforced from the adjacent ribs 1 and 2 by cross-braces 16, secured to said girders and the ribs. These girders and auxiliary braces 16 will not interfere with the operation of loading the barge to any great extent,

avoid interference or obstruction in the operation of the loading devices ordinarily used in connection with barges.

Fig. 8 illustrates a modification in the arrangement of the sheathing and consists of a series of plates of pressed steel arranged to form what is known as in-and-out strakes, withliners 17 regularlydisposed therein. This method of arranging the plates is well known in the several arts and is illustrated for the purpose of demonstrating the possibility of diversifying the arrangement of the plates comprised in the sheathing and also to indicate that the effectiveness of the barge is not dependent upon any precise disposition of the plates.

In view of the numerous ribs included in the bottom structure of the barge it is obvious that a covering must be disposed thereon to render the barge serviceable and convenient as a containing medium, and in view of the fact, demonstrated by practice, that the bottoms of barges become injured and quickly worn it is necessary in the present construction to have the covering readily replaceable, and consequently a wood flooring 18 is used and secured to wood beams or sleepers 19, attached to the ribs 1, as clearly shown by Fig. 6. Each beam or sleeper 19 is held against one side of the rib to which it is secured and has its upper edge flush with the top of the rib, so that the flooring-boards will be supported by the ribs and firmly secured to the beams or sleepers. At any time when found necessary the flooring-boards may be detached from the beams or sleepers and replaced by new ones to restore the flooring after the latter may have become worn or broken. This flooring will be continued over the ribs 3 at the ends of the barge, and at the points where the kneebraces 14 and the auxiliary braces 16 of the girders 15 are located suitable provision will be made in the flooring structure to accommodate the passage of the bracing devices therethrough.

In assembling the parts of the barge the simplest method will be employed, and it has been found that by gradually joining the plates composing the sheathing for a certain distance and then pushing the ribs into place and securing the same gives the most expeditious result. It will also be understood that the stock used in the construction of the barge will be formed in proper shape in quantities within certain scales proportionate to the dimensions of the barge to be constructed, and after initial preparation of the stock the barge can be expeditiously completed.

In Fig. 10 longitudinal ribs 20 are disposed and secured on the ribs 3 or arranged on the flooring secured to the latter ribs. The object of these longitudinal ribs, which are of the same shape as the bottom ribs 1, is to obstruct longitudinal bending or collapse of the strength to the side of the barge.

Fig. 12 shows a cover-plate 22 for protective means on the margin or rim of the barge, the said cover-plate being flat and secured to the rim in any suitable manner.

Fig. 13 shows another form of cover-plate 23, having opposite side flanges 24 embracing the outer and inner portions of the side of the barge for the purpose of more positive securement.

Fig. 14 shows transverse bottom ribs 25, of

angular truncated form, to which the flooring, substantially as that heretofore described, is secured, the remaining portions of the flooring being similar to that shown by Fig. 6, except thatthe beams 26, secured to the ribs 25, have a beveled formation on one side to conform to the contour of the ribs 25.

Fig. 15 illustrates a form of rib 27, which may be substituted for any of those heretofore set forth, either at the bottom or on the sides of the barge, and the advantages of the forms of ribs shown by Figs. 14 and 15 is that the die used in the construction of said ribs is less liable to a jam than Where a right angle exists, as in the forms particularly shown by Figs. 1 and 5. This is especially true of the form of rib shown by Fig. 14.

As before intimated, the sheathing or shell of the barge will be practically of the same thickness throughout; but at different points it 'may be made thicker to resist strain and increase the durability of the general structure. It will be understood that it is more economical and less expensive to construct the shell of equal thickness throughout its entire area; but under certain circumstances it may be necessary to vary the thickness thereof.

The form of rib shown by Fig. 15 is particularly adapted for the side rib.

From the foregoing it will be understood that differentiation in shape or contour may be adopted at will without in the least detracting from the efficiency of the barge, and such changes may be adopted to accommodate barges of different sizes.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A barge, formed from pressed steel and having bottom cross-ribs, side ribs, with lower elbow portions secured to said cross-ribs, the opposite terminals of the cross-ribs being enlarged and partially embracing the elbows of the side ribs, curved end ribs in planesat right angles to the cross-ribs, all of the ribs being U-shaped in cross-section and hollow, and a sheathing secured to the said ribs and composed of a series of connected plates.

2. A barge formed of pressed steel and having substantially U-shaped bottom, side and end hollow ribs, the bottom ribs extending transversely across the barge in a plane at right angles to the side ribs, and the side ribs having lower curved elbows continuous therewith, a portion of the ribs having overlapped terminals, and a sheathing secured to the said ribs to bend over the upper terminals of the side ribs and end ribs to form a horizontal In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES S. MARTIN.

Witnesses:

HARRY L. AMER, GEORGE M. BOND. 

